Bedding for bed bug protection

ABSTRACT

A bedding arrangement includes a mattress and a bed covering. The bed covering includes a top component adapted to cover a top surface of the mattress and a drape coupled to a perimeter portion of the top component and arranged to extend downwardly along a side wall of the mattress.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/831,538, filed Jun. 5, 2013, whichis expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a device for controlling migration ofpests, and particularly bed bugs. More particularly, the presentdisclosure relates to a sheet configured to block interaction betweenbed bugs and an occupant resting on a mattress.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, a bedding arrangement includes amattress foundation, a mattress, and a bed covering. The mattressfoundation is arranged to underlie and support the mattress inspaced-apart relation above ground. The bed covering is coupled to themattress and the mattress foundation and arranged to cover a top surfaceof the mattress.

In illustrative embodiments, a bed covering includes a top component anda drape. The top component is arranged to cover a top surface of amattress. The drape is coupled to a perimeter edge of the top componentand arranged to hang downwardly from the top component. The drapeincludes an exterior vertical surface arranged to face away from themattress and have a surface roughness of less than 0.000005 inches. Thesurface roughness of the exterior surface is configured to provide meansfor blocking upward traversal of bed bugs along the exterior surface toreach the top component so that a person resting on the bed covering isnot bitten by bed bugs crawling up to the top component.

In illustrative embodiments, the drape includes a panel anchor and alower panel. The panel anchor is arranged to interconnect the lowerpanel and the top component and to extend into a space formed betweenthe mattress and the mattress foundation. The lower panel is coupled tothe panel anchor and arranged to extend downwardly along a portion of aside wall included in the mattress foundation. The lower panel includesthe exterior surface.

In illustrative embodiments, the lower panel includes a bridge panel anda barrier panel. The bridge panel is appended to the panel anchor andarranged to extend downwardly along a portion of the side wall of themattress foundation. The barrier panel is bonded to the bridge panel andarranged to extend downwardly along a second portion of the side wall ofthe mattress foundation and include the exterior surface.

In illustrative embodiments, the upper panel, panel anchor, and bridgepanel cooperate to establish a monolithic sheet. The monolithic sheetincludes an insect-barrier layer and a comfort layer.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodimentsexemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presentlyperceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figuresin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bedding arrangement in accordance withthe present disclosure, with portions broken away, showing a personresting on the bedding arrangement that includes a bed covering formedto include a mattress-receiving space, a mattress located in themattress-receiving space, and a mattress foundation lying below andsupporting the mattress in an elevated position above the ground andsuggesting that bed bugs infesting the mattress and mattress foundationare blocked from climbing up a vertical exterior surface of the bedcovering to reach the person resting on top of the bed covering;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the beddingarrangement taken from a circled region of FIG. 1 showing that the bedcovering includes a top component and a drape depending from a perimeteredge of the top component and showing that the drape includes an upperpanel arranged to extend downwardly from the perimeter edge of the topcomponent toward the ground, a panel anchor arranged to extend inwardlybetween the mattress and the mattress foundation, and a lower panelcoupled to the panel anchor and arranged to extend downwardly and alonga portion of a vertical side wall of the mattress foundation andsuggesting that, in illustrative embodiments, an exterior surface of thelower panel has a surface roughness of less than 0.000005 inches toimpede or otherwise block migration of bed bugs from the mattressfoundation to the upper panel along the exterior surface of the lowerpanel;

FIG. 3 is an exploded assembly view of the of the bedding arrangement ofFIG. 1 showing that the bedding arrangement includes, from top tobottom, the bed covering, the mattress, and the mattress foundation;

FIG. 4 is an exploded assembly view of the bed covering of FIGS. 1 and 3showing side-by-side diagrammatic and illustrative views of a bedcovering in accordance with the present disclosure suggesting that thebed covering includes, from top to bottom, a top component, a drapeincluding an upper panel, an unfolded panel anchor comprising a top bandbounded by upper and middle fold lines and a bottom band bounded bymiddle and lower fold lines, and a lower panel comprising a bridge bandappended to the lower panel of the panel anchor along the lower foldline and a barrier band coupled to the bridge band to hang downwardlyfrom the bridge band as suggested in FIGS. 2 and 6;

FIG. 5 is a series of perspective views showing how the beddingarrangement of FIG. 1 is established as a result of placing the topcomponent over a top surface of the mattress so that the upper panel,the panel anchor, and the lower panel hang downwardly followed bytucking the panel anchor into a horizontal space provided between themattress and mattress foundation so that the exterior surface of thelower panel is arranged in a substantially vertical orientation along anexterior portion of the side wall of the mattress foundation as shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 showing thatthe top component is formed from an outer comfort layer, aninsect-barrier layer, and an inner comfort layer, the upper panel of thedrape includes an inner insect-barrier layer bonded to the outer comfortlayer of the top component and an outer comfort layer, the top band ofthe panel anchor includes an upper insect-barrier layer and an uppercomfort layer, the bottom band of the panel anchor includes a lowercomfort layer and a lower insect-barrier layer, the bridge band of thelower panel includes an outer comfort layer and an inner insect-barrierlayer, and the barrier band of the lower panel is formed from an outerinsect barrier-layer having the exterior surface and is bonded to theinner insect-barrier layer of the bridge band and an inner comfortlayer;

FIG. 6A is an enlarged partial view similar to FIG. 6 of anotherembodiment a bed covering in accordance with the present disclosureshowing that an upper panel included in the bed covering is arranged tobond with a top component included in the bed covering to cause an outercomfort layer of the upper panel to bond with an outer comfort layer ofthe top component;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 4 showing avertical bond formed as a result of bonding a first end of a strip ofmaterial to an opposite second end of the strip of material to create amaterial loop comprising the upper panel, the panel anchor, and thebridge band that is ready to be coupled to a top edge of the barrierband to form the drape;

FIGS. 8-12 show sectional views of other illustrative embodiments of bedcoverings in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view (similar to FIG. 6) of another embodiment ofa bed covering in accordance with the present disclosure showing thatthe bed covering includes a top component and a drape including an upperpanel including an outer comfort layer and an inner insect-barrierlayer, a top band included in a panel anchor including an upper comfortlayer and an upper insect-barrier layer, a bottom band included in thepanel anchor including a lower insect-barrier layer and a lower comfortlayer, and a lower panel including an outer insect-barrier layer havingan exterior surface characterized by a surface roughness of less than0.000005 inches and an inner comfort layer;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a bed covering inaccordance with the present disclosure showing that the bed coveringincludes a top component and a drape including an upper panel includingan outer comfort layer and an inner insect-barrier layer, a top bandincluded in a panel anchor including an upper comfort layer and an upperinsect-barrier layer, a bottom band included in the panel anchorincluding a lower insect-barrier layer and a lower comfort layer, and alower panel defined by an insect-barrier layer having an exteriorsurface characterized by a surface roughness of less than 0.000005inches;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a bed covering inaccordance with the present disclosure showing that the bed coveringincludes a top component and a drape including an upper panel includingan outer comfort layer and an inner insect-barrier layer, a panel anchorincluding a barrier layer and a comfort layer, and a lower panel definedby an insect barrier-layer having an exterior surface characterized by asurface roughness of less than 0.000005 inches;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a bed covering inaccordance with the present disclosure showing that the bed coveringincludes the top component and a drape including an upper panel definedby a comfort layer, a panel anchor defined by a comfort layer, and alower panel defined by an insect barrier-layer having an exteriorsurface characterized by a surface roughness of less than 0.000005inches and the comfort layer of the panel anchor and the comfort layerof the top panel are monolithic; and

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a bed coveringin accordance with the present showing that the bed covering includesthe top component and a drape including an upper panel defined by aninsect-barrier layer, a panel anchor defined by an insect-barrier layer,and a lower panel defined by an insect barrier-layer having the exteriorsurface and the insect-barrier layer of the panel anchor and theinsect-barrier layer of the bottom panel are monolithic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A bedding arrangement 10 in accordance with the present disclosure isshown for example, in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5. Bedding arrangement 10comprises, for example, a first embodiment of a bed covering 12 inaccordance with the present disclosure, a mattress 14, and a mattressfoundation 16 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. One illustrative method forinstalling bed covering 12 on mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16 isshown in FIG. 5. Other embodiments of bed coverings 212, 312, 412, 512,and 612 are shown, for example, in FIGS. 8-12.

Bed covering 12 is coupled to mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16 andincludes a vertical exterior surface 20 configured to provide means forblocking climbing of bed bugs 22 infesting mattress 14 and mattressfoundation 16 to reach a person 24 resting on bed covering 12 as shownin FIG. 1. As a result, person 24 may rest on or use mattress 14 andmattress foundation 16 during an infestation of bed bugs 22 withoutbeing bitten by bed bugs 22.

Bedding arrangement 10 comprises, for example, bed covering 12, mattress14, and mattress foundation 16 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Mattressfoundation 16 is arranged to rest on ground 18 and support mattress 14in spaced-apart relation above ground 18. Bed covering 12 includes a topcomponent 26 and a drape 28 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. Top component26 is arranged to contact and cover a top mattress surface 30 assuggested in FIGS. 3 and 5. Drape 28 is coupled to a perimeter edge 26Pof top component 26 and arranged to depend in a downward direction 32 asshown in FIGS. 1 and 4. As shown in FIG. 2, drape 28 provides verticalexterior surface 20 which has a surface roughness of less than 0.000005inches. As a result of the surface roughness being less than about0.000005 inches, bed bugs 22 are blocked from climbing up verticalexterior surface 20 as suggested in FIG. 2.

Drape 28 includes an upper panel 34, a panel anchor 36, and a lowerpanel 38 as shown, for example, in FIG. 4. Upper panel 34 is bonded totop component 26 and arranged to extend downwardly toward ground 18.Panel anchor 36 is appended to upper panel 34 and arranged to extendinto a space 40 formed between mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16.Lower panel 38 is bonded to panel anchor 36 and arranged to extenddownwardly along a portion of a vertical side wall 42 included inmattress foundation 16. As shown in FIG. 2, lower panel 38 is configuredto provide vertical exterior surface 20 which has the surface roughnessof less than 0.000005 inches which impedes or otherwise blocks migrationof bed bugs 22 from mattress foundation 16 to upper panel 34 and topcomponent 26.

As shown, for example in FIGS. 4 and 6, lower panel 38 includes a bridgeband 44 and a barrier band 46. Bridge band 44 is appended to panelanchor 36 and is arranged to extend downwardly toward ground 18 as shownin FIG. 2. Barrier band 46 is bonded to bridge band 44 and arranged tohang downwardly along the portion of vertical side wall 42 of mattressfoundation 16. Barrier band 46 provides exterior surface 20 which blocksscaling of bed bugs 22 up to upper panel 34 and top component 26 assuggested in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Barrier band 46 comprises an outer insect-barrier layer 46B and an innercomfort layer 46C as shown in FIG. 6. In one example, outerinsect-barrier layer 46B is bonded to inner comfort layer 46C through anextrusion coating process. However, any other suitable alternativemethod of bonding outer insect-barrier layer 46B to inner comfort layer46C may be used. Outer insect-barrier layer 46B provides exteriorsurface 20 has the surface roughness of less than 0.000005 inches whichimpedes upward crawling of bed bugs 22 as shown in FIG. 2. Exteriorsurface 20 of outer insect-barrier layer 46B is arranged to face awayfrom mattress foundation 16. Inner comfort layer 46C is arranged to liebetween exterior surface 20 and mattress foundation 16.

Outer insect-barrier layer 46B is further configured to provide meansfor blocking biting of bed bugs 22 located between outer insect-barrierlayer 46B and mattress foundation 16 as a result of outer insect-barrierlayer 46B being substantially continuous and imperforate. In oneexample, outer insect-barrier layer 46B is made from a plasticsmaterial. For example, the plastics material is a Low DensityPolyethylene (LDPE) resin. The LDPE resin may be DOW™ LDPE 4012.

Outer insect-barrier layer 46B provides exterior surface 20 having asurface, for example, of less than 0.000005 inches. The surfaceroughness was measured in a vertical direction 48 as suggested in FIG.2. Vertical direction 48, for example is transverse to a machinedirection MD as shown in FIG. 4. Machine direction MD is the directionof travel of the material during application of outer insect-barrierlayer 46B to inner comfort layer 46C. In another illustrativeembodiment, outer insect-barrier layer 46B may also have a surfaceroughness of less than 0.000004 inches. In yet another illustrativeembodiment, outer insect-barrier layer 46B may have a surface roughnessof less than 0.000003 inches. In yet another illustrative embodiment,outer insect-barrier layer 46B may have a surface roughness of about0.00000122 inches. In another illustrative embodiment, outerinsect-barrier layer 0.00000118 inches.

Inner comfort layer 46C of barrier band 46 is illustratively abreathable nonwoven material. The nonwoven material is a material havinga structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threads which areinterlaid in an unidentifiable pattern. In another example, innercomfort layer 46C of barrier band 46 is a 30 grams per square meterspunlace blend of polyester and polypropylene. Inner comfort layer 46Cmay also be provided with or without a pattern of apertures formed inthe layer. These apertures have a diameter smaller than a diameter of amouth part of a bed bug.

In another illustrative example, the nonwoven material of inner comfortlayer 46C may be a biocomponent spunbond nonwoven material wherein eachfiber is a polyethylene sheath surrounding a polypropylene core. Inanother example, inner comfort layer 46C of barrier band 46 is a SOFTEX®brand material having a basis weight of 28 grams per square meter. TheSOFTEX® brand material is available from Fitesa Washougal, Washougal,Wash.

As described previously, bed covering 12 includes top component 26 anddrape 28 as shown in FIG. 4. Top component 26 is arranged to cover andoverlie top mattress surface 30 as shown in FIG. 1. Top component 26 isfurther configured to provide means for transporting moisture providedby person 24 resting on top component 26 in an inbound direction 50 fromperson 24 into a mattress-receiving space 52 formed in bed covering 12when person 24 is resting on top component 26 and in an outwarddirection 54 from mattress-receiving space 52 to atmosphere 56surrounding bedding arrangement 10 when person 24 is not resting onbedding arrangement 10 without allowing passage of needle-like mouthparts of bed bugs 22 through top component 26 so that person 24 is notbitten by bed bugs 22 located in mattress-receiving space 52 and thecomfort of person 24 resting on bedding arrangement 10 is maximized as aresult of moisture being transported away from person 24 and bed bugs 22being blocked from biting person 24 as suggested in FIG. 1. Reference ishereby made to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/735,749 filed Jul. 11, 2013and titled BEDDING for disclosure relating to sheets used to form a topcomponent in accordance with the present disclosure, which applicationis hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Top component 26 includes, for example, from outside to inside, an outercomfort layer 26O, an insect-barrier layer 26B, and an inner comfortlayer 26I as shown in FIG. 6. Outer comfort layer 26O is configured toprovide an outer surface 26O1 arranged to face away from mattress 14.Inner comfort layer 26I is configured to provide an inner surface 26I1which is arranged to face toward mattress 14. Insect-barrier layer 26Bis arranged to lie between and interconnect inner and outer comfortlayers 26I, 26O. Insect-barrier layer 26B provides means for blockingbiting of bed bugs 22 as a result of insect-barrier layer 26B beingsubstantially continuous and imperforate while still having the abilityto transport moisture from zones of higher concentration to zones ofrelatively lower concentration.

Outer comfort layer 26O of top component 26 is illustratively abreathable nonwoven material which has the ability to transfer moisturein the form of water vapor through the material at a rate of at leastabout 50 grams per square meter per 24 hours. The nonwoven material is amaterial having a structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threadswhich are interlaid in an unidentifiable pattern. In one example, outercomfort layer 26O of top component 26 is a made from a biocomponentspunbond nonwoven material wherein each fiber is a polyethylene sheathsurrounding a polypropylene core. In an example, the nonwoven materialmay be a SOFTEX® brand material having a basis weight of 28 grams persquare meter. In yet another example, outer comfort layer 26O of topcomponent 26 is a 30 grams per square meter spunlace blend of polyesterand polypropylene. Outer comfort layer 26O of top component 26 may alsobe provided with or without a pattern of apertures formed in the layer.

Insect-barrier layer 26B of top component 26 is illustratively a blendof about 30% breathable copolyamide resin and about 70% nonbreathableresin. The breathable copolyamide resin may be PEBAX® 1074 and thenonbreathable resin may be LOTRYL® 28MA07. In another example,insect-barrier layer 26B of top component 26 is made of a blend of 70%PEBAX® 1074 and 30% LOTRYL® 28MA07. In yet another illustrative example,insect-barrier layer 26B of top component 26 may be a coextrusion of 7%ARNITEL® EM400 inner skin, 86% ANRITEL® VT3108, and 7% ARNITEL® EM400outer skin.

Inner comfort layer 26I of top component 26 is illustratively abreathable nonwoven material which has the ability to transfer moisturein the form of water vapor through the material at a rate of at leastabout 50 grams per square meter per 24 hours. The nonwoven material is amaterial having a structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threadswhich are interlaid in an unidentifiable pattern. In one example, innercomfort layer 26I of top component 26 is a made from a biocomponentspunbond nonwoven material wherein each fiber is a polyethylene sheathsurrounding a polypropylene core. In another embodiment, the nonwovenmaterial may be a SOFTEX® material having a basis weight of 28 grams persquare meter. In yet another example, inner comfort layer 26I of topcomponent 26 is a 30 grams per square meter spunlace blend of polyesterand polypropylene. Inner comfort layer 26I of top component 26 may alsobe provided with or without a pattern of apertures formed in the layer.

Together, outer comfort layer 26O, insect-barrier layer 26B, and innercomfort layer 26I may be formed through an extrusion lamination process.In this example, outer comfort layer 26O is unwound along with innercomfort layer 26I. Inner and outer comfort layers 26I, 26O are thenlaminated together by insect-barrier layer 26B which is applied viaextrusion of the molten material between inner and outer comfort layers26I, 26O. As a result, top component 26 is formed and wound for furtherprocessing.

Top component 26 of drape 28 is coupled to upper panel 34 to cause upperpanel to extend downwardly along a portion of a mattress side wall 58 asshown in FIG. 2. Upper panel 34 includes an outer comfort layer 34C andan inner insect-barrier layer 34B as shown in FIG. 6. Innerinsect-barrier layer 34B is arranged to bond outer comfort layer 34C toouter comfort layer 26O of top component 26 as shown in FIG. 6. Outercomfort layer 34C is arranged in spaced-apart relation to mattress sidewall 58 to locate inner insect-barrier layer 34B therebetween.

Outer comfort layer 34C of upper panel 34 illustratively is a breathablenonwoven material which has the ability to transfer moisture in the formof water vapor through the material at a rate of at least about 50 gramsper square meter per 24 hours. The nonwoven material is a materialhaving a structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threads which areinterlaid in an unidentifiable pattern. In another example, outercomfort layer 34C is a 30 grams per square meter spunlace blend ofpolyester and polypropylene.

Inner insect-barrier layer 34B of upper panel 34 is further configuredto provide means for blocking biting of bed bugs 22 located betweenouter comfort layer 34C and mattress 14 as a result of innerinsect-barrier layer 34B being substantially continuous and imperforate.In one example, inner insect-barrier layer 34B is made from a plasticsmaterial. For example, the plastics material is a LDPE resin. The LDPEresin may be DOW™ LDPE 4012. In one example, inner insect-barrier layer34B has a thickness 60 about 1 mil. In another example, innerinsect-barrier layer 34B has thickness 60 of about 0.5 mil.

As shown in FIG. 4, for example, panel anchor 36 includes a top band 36Tand a bottom band 36B. Top band 36T is appended to a lower end of upperpanel 34 and arranged to extend away from upper panel 34 and into aspace 40 formed between mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16 when bedcovering 12 is unfolded and applied to mattress 14 and mattressfoundation 16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Bottom band 36B is appended totop band 36T and is arranged to extend between and interconnect top band36T and bridge band 44 of lower panel 38. As shown in FIG. 2, Top band36T is located between bottom band 36B and mattress 14. Bottom band 36Bis located between top band 36T and mattress foundation 16 as shown inFIG. 2.

Top band 36T includes an upper comfort layer 36TC and an upperinsect-barrier layer 36TB as shown in FIG. 6. Upper comfort layer 36TCis appended to outer comfort layer 34C of upper panel 34. Upperinsect-barrier layer 36TB is appended to inner insect-barrier layer 34Bof upper panel 34 as shown in FIG. 6. Upper insect-barrier layer 36TB islocated between mattress 14 and upper comfort layer 36TC as suggested inFIG. 6. Upper comfort layer 36TC is located between upper insect-barrierlayer 36TB and bottom band 36B.

Upper insect-barrier layer 36TB of top band 36T is made from a plasticsmaterial. For example, the plastics material is a LDPE resin. The LDPEresin may be DOW™ LDPE 4012. In one example, upper insect-barrier layer36TB has thickness 60.

Upper comfort layer 36TC is illustratively a breathable nonwovenmaterial. The nonwoven material is a material having a structure ofindividual fibers, filaments, or threads which are interlaid in anunidentifiable pattern. In another example, upper comfort layer 36TC isa 30 grams per square meter spunlace blend of polyester andpolypropylene. In yet another example, upper comfort layer 36TC is madefrom a biocomponent spunbond nonwoven material wherein each fiber is apolyethylene sheath surrounding a polypropylene core. The biocomponentspunbond nonwoven material may be a SOFTEX® brand material having abasis weight of 28 grams per square meter.

Bottom band 36B includes a lower comfort layer 36BC and a lowerinsect-barrier layer 36BB as shown in FIG. 6. Lower comfort layer 36BCis appended to upper comfort layer 36TC of top band 36T. Lowerinsect-barrier layer 36BB is appended to upper insect-barrier layer 36TBof top band 36T as shown in FIG. 6. Lower insect-barrier layer 36BB islocated between mattress foundation 16 and lower comfort layer 36BC assuggested in FIG. 6. Lower comfort layer 36BC is located between uppercomfort layer 36TC and lower insect-barrier layer 36BB.

Lower comfort layer 36BC of bottom band 36B is illustratively abreathable nonwoven material. The nonwoven material is a material havinga structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threads which areinterlaid in an unidentifiable pattern. In another example, lowercomfort layer 36BC is a 30 grams per square meter spunlace blend ofpolyester and polypropylene. In yet another example, lower comfort layer36BC is made from a biocomponent spunbond nonwoven material wherein eachfiber is a polyethylene sheath surrounding a polypropylene core. Thebicomponent spunbond nonwoven material may be a SOFTEX® brand materialhaving a basis weight of 28 grams per square meter.

Lower insect-barrier layer 36BB of bottom band 36B is made from aplastics material. For example, the plastics material is a LDPE resin.The LDPE resin may be DOW™ LDPE 4012. In one example, lowerinsect-barrier layer 36BB has thickness 60.

Bridge band 44 of lower panel 38 includes, for example, an outer comfortlayer 44C and an inner insect-barrier layer 44B as shown in FIG. 6.Inner insect-barrier layer 44B is appended to lower insect-barrier 36BBof bottom band 36 as shown in FIG. 6. Outer comfort layer 44C isappended to lower comfort layer 36BC as shown in FIG. 6. Outer comfortlayer 44C is arranged in spaced-apart relation to mattress vertical sidewall 42 of mattress foundation 16 to locate inner insect-barrier layer44B therebetween.

Outer comfort layer 44C of bridge band 44 is illustratively a breathablenonwoven material which has the ability to transfer moisture in the formof water vapor through the material at a rate of at least about 50 gramsper square meter per 24 hours. The nonwoven material is a materialhaving a structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threads which areinterlaid in an unidentifiable pattern. In another example, outercomfort layer 44C is a 30 grams per square meter spunlace blend ofpolyester and polypropylene.

Inner insect-barrier layer 44B of bridge band 44 is further configuredto provide means for blocking biting of bed bugs 22 located betweenouter comfort layer 44C and mattress foundation 16 as a result of innerinsect-barrier layer 44B being substantially continuous and imperforate.In one example, inner insect-barrier layer 44B is made from a plasticsmaterial. For example, the plastics material is a LDPE resin. The LDPEresin may be DOW™ LDPE 4012. In one example, inner insect-barrier layer44B has a thickness 59 greater than 2 mil. In another example, innerinsect-barrier layer 44B has thickness 59 of greater than 3 mil.

As shown in FIG. 6, outer comfort layer 34C, upper comfort layer 36TC,lower comfort layer 36BC, and outer comfort layer 38C cooperate toestablish a first monolithic sheet 61. Inner insect-barrier layer 34B,upper insect-barrier layer 36TB, lower insect-barrier layer 36BB, andinner insect-barrier layer 44B cooperate to establish a secondmonolithic sheet 62.

During a bed-covering production process, a strip 70 of material 72 isformed. In one illustrative example, strip 70 includes an insect-barrierlayer and a comfort layer. Upper panel 34 is formed as a result ofbonding a first end 70A of strip 70 to an opposite second end 70B ofstrip 70 to create a material loop 74 as shown in FIG. 4. Material loop74 is used during the bed-covering production process to establish upperpanel 34, panel anchor 36, and bridge band 44 as shown in FIG. 4. Duringinstallation of bed covering 12 on mattress 14 and mattress foundation16, panel anchor 36 is folded inwardly into space 40 along an upper foldline 75, a middle fold line 76, and a lower fold line 77 as suggested inFIG. 4 and shown in FIG. 5. In one example, bonds may be formed usingheat, adhesive, ultrasonic molding, or any other suitable alternative.

Top band 36T of panel anchor 36 is appended to upper panel 34 alongupper fold line 75. Bottom band 36B of panel anchor 36 is appended totop band 36T along middle fold line 76. Bridge band 44 is appended tobottom band 36B along lower fold line 77 as shown in FIG. 4. Afterinstallation of bed covering 10 on mattress 14 and mattress foundation16, bridge band 44 hangs downwardly way from panel anchor 36 along lowerfold line 77 as shown in FIG. 5.

After bed covering 10 is installed on mattress 14 and mattressfoundation 16, bed clothes may be applied to bedding arrangement 10. Inone example, a fitted sheet may be placed around upper panel 34 and topcomponent 26 of bed covering 12. The fitted sheet may include an elasticlower portion which causes a perimeter edge of the fitted sheet to bedrawn into space 40 between top band 36T and bottom band 36B of panelanchor 36. Once the fitted sheet is applied, a flat sheet may be tuckedbetween top and bottom bands 36T, 36B along a bottom edge of beddingarrangement 10 so that person 24 may sleep between the fitted sheet andthe flat sheet. As a result of the sheets being coupled to the beddingarrangement by trapping portions of the sheets between the top andbottom bands 36T, 36B, exterior surface 20 with a surface roughness ofless than 0.000005 inches is maintained so that bed bugs cannot climb upto person 24.

Surface roughness is measured, for example, using a HOMMEL-ETAMIC W5roughness measuring system. The HOMMEL-ETAMIC W5 is available fromJENOPTIC Industrial Metrology German GmbH of Germany. The surfaceroughness measured was the Roughness Average (RA).

In another illustrative embodiment, a barrier band included in a lowerpanel of a drape in accordance with the present disclosure may be madefrom a multi-layer plastics material. The multi-layer material includesa first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. In one example, thefirst layer is about 20% of the multi-layer material by weight and isdefined by about 100% BRASKEM PP H110.02N. The second layer is about 60%of the multi-layer material by weight and includes 70% DOW™ 2056G, about25% CHEVRON 5754, and about 5% AMPACET 111017P. The third layer is about20% of the multi-layer material by weight and is defined by about 100%BRASKEM PP H110.02N. The multi-layer material provides an exteriorsurface having a surface roughness of less than 0.0000003 inches. Themulti-layer material may have thickness 60 of greater than 2 mil.

In another example of the multi-layer material, the first layer is about20% of the multi-layer material by weight and is defined by about 100%TOTAL 8473. The second layer is about 60% of the multi-layer material byweight and includes 70% DOW™ 2056G, about 25% CHEVRON 5754, and about 5%AMPACET 111017P. The third layer is about 20% of the multi-layermaterial by weight and is defined by about 100% TOTAL 8473. Themulti-layer material provides an exterior surface having a surfaceroughness of less than 0.0000003 inches. The multi-layer material mayhave thickness 60 of greater than 2 mil.

In still yet another example of the multi-layer material, the firstlayer is about 20% of the multi-layer material by weight and includesabout 96% TOTAL 8473 and about 4% AMPACET 10090. The second layer isabout 60% of the multi-layer material by weight and includes 70% DOW™2056G, about 25% CHEVRON 5754, and about 5% AMPACET 111017P. The thirdlayer is about 20% of the multi-layer material by weight and includesabout 96% TOTAL 8473 and about 4% AMPACET 10090. The multi-layermaterial provides an exterior surface having a surface roughness of lessthan 0.0000005 inches. The multi-layer material may have an exteriorsurface roughness of less than 0.00000043 inches. The multi-layermaterial may have thickness 60 of greater than about 3 mil.

Another embodiment of a bed covering 112 in accordance with the presentdisclosure is suggested in FIG. 6A. Bed covering 112 includes topcomponent 26 and a drape 128 as shown in FIG. 6A. Drape 228 includes anupper panel 134, panel anchor 36, and lower panel 38.

Upper panel 134 of drape 128 is appended to perimeter edge 26P of topcomponent 26 as shown in FIG. 6A. Upper panel 134 includes an outercomfort layer 134C and an inner insect-barrier layer 34B as shown inFIG. 6A. Outer comfort layer 134C is arranged to bond innerinsect-barrier layer 34B with outer comfort layer 26O of top component26 as shown in FIG. 6A. Outer comfort layer 134C is arranged inspaced-apart relation to mattress side wall 58 to locate innerinsect-barrier layer 34B therebetween.

Outer comfort layer 134C of upper panel 34 is illustratively made from abiocomponent spunbond nonwoven material wherein each fiber is apolyethylene sheath surrounding a polypropylene core. The bicomponentspunbond nonwoven material may be a SOFTEX® material having a basisweight of 28 grams per square meter.

Another embodiment of a bed covering 212 in accordance with the presentdisclosure is shown, for example, in FIG. 8. Bed covering 212 includestop component 26 and drape 228 as shown in FIG. 8. Drape 228 includes anexterior surface 220 configured to provide means for blocking climbingof bed bugs 22 infesting mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16 to reacha person 24 resting on bed covering 212. As a result, person 24 may reston or use mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16 during an infestationof bed bugs 22 without being bitten by bed bugs 22. Vertical exteriorsurface 220 which has a surface roughness of less than 0.000005 inches.As a result of the surface roughness being less than about 0.000005inches, bed bugs 22 are blocked from climbing up vertical exteriorsurface 220

Drape 228 includes upper panel 34, panel anchor 36, and a lower panel238. Lower panel 238 is bonded to panel anchor 36 and is arranged toextend downwardly toward ground 18. Lower panel 238 provides exteriorsurface 220 which blocks scaling of bed bugs 22 up to upper panel 34 andtop component 26.

Lower panel 238 comprises an outer insect-barrier layer 238B and aninner comfort layer 238C as shown in FIG. 8. In one example, outerinsect-barrier layer 238B is bonded to lower insect-barrier layer 36BBof panel anchor 36. Outer insect-barrier layer 238B provides exteriorsurface 220 which has the surface roughness of less than 0.000005 incheswhich impedes upward crawling of bed bugs 22. Exterior surface 220 ofouter insect-barrier layer 238B is arranged to face away from mattressfoundation 16. Inner comfort layer 238C is arranged to lie betweenexterior surface 220 and mattress foundation 16.

Outer insect-barrier layer 238B is further configured to provide meansfor blocking biting of bed bugs 22 located between outer insect-barrierlayer 238B and mattress foundation 16 as a result of outerinsect-barrier layer 238B being substantially continuous andimperforate. In one example, outer insect-barrier layer 238B is madefrom a plastics material. For example, the plastics material is a LowDensity Polyethylene (LDPE) resin. The LDPE resin may be DOW™ LDPE 4012.

Inner comfort layer 238C of lower panel 238 is illustratively abreathable nonwoven material. The nonwoven material is a material havinga structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threads which areinterlaid in an unidentifiable pattern. In another example, innercomfort layer 238C of barrier band 46 is a 30 grams per square meterspunlace blend of polyester and polypropylene. Inner comfort layer 238Cmay also be provided with or without a pattern of apertures formed inthe layer. These apertures should have a diameter smaller than adiameter of a mouth part of a bed bug.

In another illustrative example, the nonwoven material of inner comfortlayer 238C may be a biocomponent spunbond nonwoven material wherein eachfiber is a polyethylene sheath surrounding a polypropylene core. Inanother example, inner comfort layer 238C of lower panel 238 is aSOFTEX® brand material having a basis weight of 28 grams per squaremeter.

Another embodiment of a bed covering 312 in accordance with the presentdisclosure is shown, for example, in FIG. 9. Bed covering 312 includestop component 26 and drape 328 as shown in FIG. 9. Drape 328 includes anexterior surface 320 configured to provide means for blocking climbingof bed bugs 22 infesting mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16 to reacha person 24 resting on bed covering 312. As a result, person 24 may reston or use mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16 during an infestationof bed bugs 22 without being bitten by bed bugs 22. Vertical exteriorsurface 320 which has a surface roughness of less than 0.000005 inches.As a result of the surface roughness being less than about 0.000005inches, bed bugs 22 are blocked from climbing up vertical exteriorsurface 320

Drape 328 includes upper panel 34, panel anchor 36, and a lower panel338. Lower panel 338 is bonded to panel anchor 36 and is arranged toextend downwardly toward ground 18. Lower panel 338 provides exteriorsurface 320 which blocks scaling of bed bugs 22 up to upper panel 34 andtop component 26.

Lower panel 338 is defined by an insect-barrier layer 338B as shown inFIG. 9. In one example, insect-barrier layer 338B is bonded to lowerinsect-barrier layer 36BB of panel anchor 36. Insect-barrier layer 338Bprovides exterior surface 320 which has the surface roughness of lessthan 0.000005 inches which impedes upward crawling of bed bugs 22.Exterior surface 320 of outer insect-barrier layer 238B is arranged toface away from mattress foundation 16.

Insect-barrier layer 338B is further configured to provide means forblocking biting of bed bugs 22 located between insect-barrier layer 338Band mattress foundation 16 as a result of insect-barrier layer 338Bbeing substantially continuous and imperforate. In one example,insect-barrier layer 338B is made from a plastics material. For example,the plastics material is a Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) resin. TheLDPE resin may be DOW™ LDPE 4012.

Another embodiment of a bed covering 412 in accordance with the presentdisclosure is shown, for example, in FIG. 10. Bed covering 412 includestop component 26 and drape 428 as shown in FIG. 10. Drape 428 includesan exterior surface 420 configured to provide means for blockingclimbing of bed bugs 22 infesting mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16to reach a person 24 resting on bed covering 412. As a result, person 24may rest on or use mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16 during aninfestation of bed bugs 22 without being bitten by bed bugs 22. Verticalexterior surface 420 which has a surface roughness of less than 0.000005inches. As a result of the surface roughness being less than about0.000005 inches, bed bugs 22 are blocked from climbing up verticalexterior surface 420.

Drape 428 includes upper panel 34, anchor panel 436, and a lower panel438. Lower panel 438 is bonded to panel anchor 436 and upper panel 34and is arranged to extend downwardly toward ground 18. Lower panel 438provides exterior surface 420 which blocks scaling of bed bugs 22 up toupper panel 34 and top component 26.

Lower panel 438 is defined by an insect-barrier layer 438B as shown inFIG. 10. In one example, insect-barrier layer 438B is bonded to outercomfort layer 34C of upper panel 34 and to a lower comfort layer 436C ofpanel anchor 436 as shown in FIG. 10. Insect-barrier layer 438B providesexterior surface 420 which has the surface roughness of less than0.000005 inches which impedes upward crawling of bed bugs 22. Exteriorsurface 420 of insect-barrier layer 438B is arranged to face away frommattress foundation 16.

Insect-barrier layer 438B is further configured to provide means forblocking biting of bed bugs 22 located between insect-barrier layer 438Band mattress foundation 16 as a result of insect-barrier layer 438Bbeing substantially continuous and imperforate. In one example,insect-barrier layer 438B is made from a plastics material. For example,the plastics material is a Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) resin. TheLDPE resin may be DOW™ LDPE 4012.

As shown, for example, in FIG. 10, panel anchor 436 includes an upperinsect-barrier layer 436B and a lower comfort layer 436C. Upperinsect-barrier layer 436B is appended to inner insect-barrier layer 34Bof upper panel 34 and arranged to extend inwardly into space 40 betweenmattress 14 and mattress foundation 16. Lower comfort layer 436C isappended to outer comfort layer 34C of upper panel 34 and arranged toextend into space 40 between mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16.

Upper insect-barrier layer 436B of panel anchor 436 is made from aplastics material. For example, the plastics material is a LDPE resin.The LDPE resin may be DOW™ LDPE 4012. In one example, upperinsect-barrier layer 36TB has thickness 60.

Lower comfort layer 436C of panel anchor 436 is illustratively abreathable nonwoven material. The nonwoven material is a material havinga structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threads which areinterlaid in an unidentifiable pattern. In another example, lowercomfort layer 436C is a 30 grams per square meter spunlace blend ofpolyester and polypropylene. In yet another example, lower comfort layer436C is made from a biocomponent spunbond nonwoven material wherein eachfiber is a polyethylene sheath surrounding a polypropylene core. Thebicomponent spunbond nonwoven material may be a SOFTEX® brand materialhaving a basis weight of 28 grams per square meter.

Another embodiment of a bed covering 512 in accordance with the presentdisclosure is shown, for example, in FIG. 11. Bed covering 512 includestop component 26 and drape 528 as shown in FIG. 11. Drape 528 includesan exterior surface 520 configured to provide means for blockingclimbing of bed bugs 22 infesting mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16to reach a person 24 resting on bed covering 512. As a result, person 24may rest on or use mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16 during aninfestation of bed bugs 22 without being bitten by bed bugs 22. Verticalexterior surface 520 which has a surface roughness of less than 0.000005inches. As a result of the surface roughness being less than about0.00005 inches, bed bugs 22 are blocked from climbing up verticalexterior surface 520

Drape 528 includes an upper panel 534, anchor panel 536, and a lowerpanel 538. Lower panel 538 is bonded to panel anchor 536 and upper panel534 and is arranged to extend downwardly toward ground 18. Lower panel538 provides exterior surface 520 which blocks scaling of bed bugs 22 upto upper panel 534 and top component 26.

Upper panel 534 is defined by a comfort layer 534C as shown in FIG. 11.Comfort layer 534C is arranged to bond outer comfort layer 34C of topcomponent 26 as shown in FIG. 11. Comfort layer 534C of upper panel 534is illustratively a breathable nonwoven material. The nonwoven materialis a material having a structure of individual fibers, filaments, orthreads which are interlaid in an unidentifiable pattern. In anotherexample, comfort layer 534C is a 30 grams per square meter spunlaceblend of polyester and polypropylene. In yet another example, comfortlayer 534C is made from a biocomponent spunbond nonwoven materialwherein each fiber is a polyethylene sheath surrounding a polypropylenecore. The bicomponent spunbond nonwoven material may be a SOFTEX® brandmaterial having a basis weight of 28 grams per square meter.

As shown in FIG. 11, for example, panel anchor 536 is defined by comfortlayer 536C. Comfort layer 536C is appended to comfort layer 534C ofupper panel 534 and arranged to extend inwardly into space 40 betweenmattress 14 and mattress foundation 16. Comfort layer 536C of panelanchor 536 is illustratively a breathable nonwoven material. Thenonwoven material is a material having a structure of individual fibers,filaments, or threads which are interlaid in an unidentifiable pattern.In another example, comfort layer 536C is a 30 grams per square meterspunlace blend of polyester and polypropylene. In yet another example,comfort layer 536C is made from a biocomponent spunbond nonwovenmaterial wherein each fiber is a polyethylene sheath surrounding apolypropylene core. The bicomponent spunbond nonwoven material may be aSOFTEX® brand material having a basis weight of 28 grams per squaremeter.

Lower panel 538 is defined by an insect-barrier layer 538B as shown inFIG. 11. In one example, insect-barrier layer 538B is bonded to comfortlayer 534C of upper panel 34 and to comfort layer 536C of panel anchor536 as shown in FIG. 11. Insect-barrier layer 538B provides exteriorsurface 520 which has the surface roughness of less than 0.000005 incheswhich impedes upward crawling of bed bugs 22. Exterior surface 520 ofinsect-barrier layer 538B is arranged to face away from mattressfoundation 16.

Insect-barrier layer 538B is further configured to provide means forblocking biting of bed bugs 22 located between insect-barrier layer 538Band mattress foundation 16 as a result of insect-barrier layer 538Bbeing substantially continuous and imperforate. In one example,insect-barrier layer 538B is made from a plastics material. For example,the plastics material is a Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) resin. TheLDPE resin may be DOW™ LDPE 4012.

Another embodiment of a bed covering 612 in accordance with the presentdisclosure is shown, for example, in FIG. 12. Bed covering 612 includestop component 26 and a drape 628 as shown in FIG. 12. Drape 628 includesan exterior surface 620 configured to provide means for blockingclimbing of bed bugs 22 infesting mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16to reach a person 24 resting on bed covering 612. As a result, person 24may rest on or use mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16 during aninfestation of bed bugs 22 without being bitten by bed bugs 22. Verticalexterior surface 620 has a surface roughness of less than 0.000005inches. As a result of the surface roughness being less than about0.000005 inches, bed bugs 22 are blocked from climbing up verticalexterior surface 620

Drape 628 includes an upper panel 634, panel anchor 636, and a lowerpanel 638. Lower panel 638 is bonded to panel anchor 636 and upper panel634 and is arranged to extend downwardly toward ground 18. Lower panel638 provides exterior surface 620 which blocks scaling of bed bugs 22 upto upper panel 634 and top component 26.

Upper panel 634 is defined by an insect-barrier layer 634B as shown inFIG. 12. Insect-barrier layer 634B is arranged to bond to outer comfortlayer 34C of top component 26 as shown in FIG. 12. Insect-barrier layer634B of upper panel 634 is illustratively from a plastics material. Forexample, the plastics material is a Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)resin. The LDPE resin may be DOW™ LDPE 4012.

As shown, for example, in FIG. 12, panel anchor 636 is defined by aninsect-barrier layer 636B. Insect-barrier layer 636B is appended toinsect-barrier layer 534B of upper panel 534 and arranged to extendinwardly into space 40 between mattress 14 and mattress foundation 16.Insect-barrier layer 636B of panel anchor 636 is illustratively madefrom a plastics material. For example, the plastics material is a LowDensity Polyethylene (LDPE) resin. The LDPE resin may be DOW™ LDPE 4012.

Lower panel 638 is defined by an insect-barrier layer 638B as shown inFIG. 12. In one example, insect-barrier layer 638B is appended toinsect-barrier layer 636B of panel anchor 636 and bonded toinsect-barrier layer 634B of upper panel 634 as shown in FIG. 12.Insect-barrier layer 638B provides exterior surface 620 which has thesurface roughness of less than 0.000005 inches which impedes upwardcrawling of bed bugs 22. Exterior surface 620 of insect-barrier layer538B is arranged to face away from mattress foundation 16.

Insect-barrier layer 638B is further configured to provide means forblocking biting of bed bugs 22 located between insect-barrier layer 638Band mattress foundation 16 as a result of insect-barrier layer 638Bbeing substantially continuous and imperforate. In one example,insect-barrier layer 638B is made from a plastics material. For example,the plastics material is a Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) resin. TheLDPE resin may be DOW™ LDPE 4012.

Reference is hereby made to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/305,030 filedJun. 7, 2013 and titled BED BUG PROTECTION DEVICE and to U.S.Application No. 61/420,114 filed Dec. 6, 2010 and titled BED BUGPROTECTION DEVICE for disclosure relating to bed bug protection devices,all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

1. A bed covering comprising a top component adapted to cover a topsurface of a mattress and a drape coupled to a perimeter edge of the topcomponent and arranged to extend downwardly away from the top component,the drape including a panel anchor adapted to extend into a spacedefined between a mattress and a mattress foundation and a lower panelarranged to extend downwardly from the panel anchor and provide anexterior surface adapted to face away from a mattress and having asurface roughness of less than 0.000005 inches.
 2. The bed covering ofclaim 1, wherein the drape further includes an upper panel coupled tothe perimeter edge of the top component and arranged to extenddownwardly toward the panel anchor and interconnect the top componentand the panel anchor.
 3. The bed covering of claim 2, wherein the panelanchor is located between the upper panel and the lower panel.
 4. Thebed covering of claim 2, wherein the upper panel includes an outercomfort layer adapted to lie in spaced-apart relation to a mattress andan inner barrier layer adapted to lie between the outer comfort layerand a mattress.
 5. The bed covering of claim 2, wherein the lower panelincludes an outer barrier layer adapted to lie in spaced-apart relationto a mattress foundation and an inner comfort layer adapted to liebetween and the outer barrier layer and a mattress foundation and theouter barrier layer provides the exterior surface.
 6. The bed coveringof claim 2, wherein the panel anchor includes an upper barrier layerappended to the upper panel and adapted to lie between the mattress andthe mattress foundation, an upper comfort layer appended to the upperpanel and adapted to lie between the upper barrier layer and themattress foundation, a lower comfort layer appended to the lower paneland adapted to lie between the upper comfort layer and the mattressfoundation, and a lower barrier layer appended to the lower panel andadapted to lie between the lower comfort layer and the mattressfoundation.
 7. The bed covering of claim 6, wherein the upper panelincludes an outer comfort layer adapted to lie in spaced-apart relationto a mattress and an inner barrier layer adapted to lie between theouter comfort layer and a mattress and the outer comfort layer of theupper panel, the upper comfort layer of the panel anchor, and the lowercomfort layer of the panel anchor cooperate to provide a firstmonolithic sheet.
 8. The bed covering of claim 7, wherein the innerbarrier layer of the upper panel, the upper barrier layer of the panelanchor, and the lower barrier layer of the panel anchor cooperate toprovide a second monolithic sheet.
 9. The bed covering of claim 6,wherein the lower panel includes an outer barrier layer including theexterior surface and an interior surface arranged to face opposite theexterior surface and an inner comfort layer adapted to face away from amattress and an inner comfort layer including an inner surface adaptedto face toward a mattress and an outer surface arranged to face towardand abut the interior surface of the outer barrier layer.
 10. The bedcovering of claim 9, wherein the outer barrier layer of the lower panelis bonded to the lower barrier layer of the panel anchor and the outerbarrier layer of the lower panel is spaced apart from the lower comfortlayer of the panel anchor.
 11. The bed covering of claim 1, wherein thelower panel includes a barrier band providing the exterior surface and abridge band arranged to extend between and interconnect the panel anchorand the barrier band.
 12. The bed covering of claim 11, wherein thebarrier band includes an outer barrier layer including the exteriorsurface and an interior surface arranged to face opposite the exteriorsurface and an inner comfort layer adapted to face away from a mattressand an inner comfort layer including an inner surface adapted to facetoward a mattress and an outer surface arranged to face toward and abutthe interior surface of the outer barrier layer.
 13. The bed covering ofclaim 12, wherein the bridge band includes an outer comfort layeradapted to lie in spaced-apart relation to a mattress foundation and aninner barrier layer adapted to lie between the outer comfort layer andthe mattress foundation.
 14. The bed covering of claim 13, wherein theouter barrier layer of the barrier band is bonded to the inner barrierlayer of the bridge band.
 15. The bed covering of claim 2, wherein thetop component is configured to provide means for transporting moistureprovided by a person resting on the bed covering in an inbound directionfrom a person resting on the top component into a mattress-receivingspace formed in the bed covering when a person is resting on the topcomponent and in an outward direction from the mattress-receiving spaceto atmosphere surrounding the bed covering when a person is not restingon the top component without allowing passage of needle-like mouth partsof bed bugs through the top component so that a person resting on thetop component is not bitten by bed bugs located in themattress-receiving space and comfort of a person resting on the topcomponent is maximized as a result of moisture being transported awayfrom the person and bed bugs being blocked from biting the person. 16.The bed covering of claim 15, wherein the top component includes aninner comfort layer having an inner surface adapted to face toward amattress, an outer comfort layer spaced apart from the inner comfortlayer and having an outer surface arranged to face away from the innersurface, and an insect-barrier layer positioned to lie between the innerand outer comfort layers and configured to provide means for blockingpassage of needle-like mouth parts of bed bugs through the top componentso that a person resting on the outer comfort layer of the top componentis not bitten by bed bugs located in the mattress-receiving space. 17.The bed covering of claim 16, wherein the upper panel includes an outercomfort layer adapted to lie in spaced-apart relation to a mattresslocated in the mattress-receiving space and an inner barrier layeradapted to lie between the outer comfort layer and a mattress.
 18. Thebed covering of claim 17, wherein the outer comfort layer of the upperpanel is bonded to the outer comfort layer of the top component and theinner barrier layer of the upper panel is spaced apart from the outercomfort layer of the top component.
 19. The bed covering of claim 17,wherein the inner barrier layer of the upper panel is arranged to liebetween and interconnect the outer comfort layer of the upper panel andthe outer comfort layer of the top component.
 20. The bed covering ofclaim 1, wherein the drape further includes an upper panel and the upperpanel includes an outer comfort layer adapted to lie in spaced-apartrelation to a mattress and an inner barrier layer adapted to lie betweenthe outer comfort layer and a mattress, the panel anchor includes anupper barrier layer appended to the upper panel and adapted to liebetween a mattress and a mattress foundation, an upper comfort layerappended to the upper panel and adapted to lie between the upper barrierlayer and a mattress foundation, a lower comfort layer appended to thelower panel and adapted to lie between the upper comfort layer and amattress foundation, and a lower barrier layer appended to the lowerpanel and adapted to lie between the lower comfort layer and a mattressfoundation and the lower panel defined by a barrier layer including theexterior surface and an interior surface arranged to face opposite theexterior surface.
 21. The bed covering of claim 20, wherein the barrierlayer is bonded to the lower barrier layer of the panel anchor.
 22. Thebed covering of claim 1, wherein the drape further includes an upperpanel and the panel anchor includes a barrier layer appended to theupper panel and adapted to lie between a mattress and a mattressfoundation and a comfort layer appended to the upper panel and adaptedto lie between the barrier layer and a mattress foundation.
 23. The bedcovering of claim 22, wherein the lower panel is defined by a barrierlayer including the exterior surface and an interior surface arranged toface opposite the exterior surface.
 24. The bed covering of claim 23,wherein the barrier layer of the lower panel is bonded to the comfortlayer of the panel anchor.
 25. The bed covering of claim 22, wherein theupper panel includes an outer comfort layer and an inner barrier layeradapted to lie between a mattress and the outer comfort layer, thebarrier layer of the panel anchor is monolithic with the inner barrierlayer of the upper panel, and the comfort layer of the panel anchor ismonolithic with the outer comfort layer of the upper panel.
 26. The bedcovering of claim 1, wherein the drape further includes an upper panelarranged to extend between and interconnect the top component and thepanel anchor and the panel anchor is defined by a comfort layer adaptedto lie between a mattress and a mattress foundation.
 27. The bedcovering of claim 26, wherein the lower panel is defined by a barrierlayer and the barrier layer includes the exterior surface and aninterior surface arranged to face opposite the exterior surface.
 28. Thebed covering of claim 27, wherein the barrier layer of the lower panelis bonded to the upper panel and the panel anchor is located inspaced-apart relation to the barrier layer of the lower panel.
 29. Thebed covering of claim 26, wherein the upper panel includes a comfortlayer having an outer surface adapted to face away from a mattress andan inner surface adapted to face toward a mattress, the comfort layer ofthe panel anchor is monolithic with the comfort layer of the upperpanel.
 30. The bed covering of claim 1, wherein the panel anchor isdefined by a barrier layer adapted to lie between a mattress and amattress foundation.
 31. The bed covering of claim 30, wherein the lowerpanel is defined by a barrier layer including the exterior surface andan interior surface arranged to face opposite the exterior surface. 32.The bed covering of claim 31, wherein the drape further includes anupper panel arranged to extend between and interconnect the panel anchorand the top component and the upper panel is defined by a barrier layerhaving an outer surface adapted to face away from a mattress and aninner surface adapted to face toward a mattress and the barrier layer ofthe lower panel is bonded to the inner surface of the barrier layer ofthe upper panel.
 33. The bed covering of claim 32, wherein the barrierlayer of the panel anchor and the barrier layer of the lower panelcooperate to form a monolithic sheet.
 34. The bed covering of claim 1,wherein the surface roughness is measured along a vertical direction ofthe exterior surface of the lower panel.
 35. The bed covering of claim34, wherein the vertical direction is a direction transverse to amachine direction defined during manufacturing of the lower panel. 36.The bed covering of claim 35, wherein the surface roughness is less than0.000003 inches.
 37. The bed covering of claim 36, wherein the surfaceroughness is less than 0.000002 inches.
 38. The bed covering of claim 1,wherein the drape further includes an upper panel arranged to extenddownwardly toward the panel anchor and interconnect the top componentand the panel anchor and the upper panel includes an outer comfort layerand an inner barrier layer adapted to lie between the outer comfortlayer of the upper panel and a mattress, the lower panel includes anouter barrier layer including the exterior surface and an inner comfortlayer adapted to lie between the outer barrier layer of the lower paneland a mattress foundation, the inner barrier layer of the upper panelhas a first thickness, and the outer barrier layer of the lower panelhas a relatively greater second thickness.
 39. The bed covering of claim38, wherein the relatively second thickness is greater than 2 mil. 40.The bed covering of claim 39, wherein the relatively second thickness isgreater than 3 mil.
 41. The bed covering of claim 35, wherein therelatively second thickness is about 3 mil.
 42. The bed covering ofclaim 38, wherein the first thickness is less than 2 mil.
 43. The bedcovering of claim 42, wherein the first thickness is less than 1 mil.44. The bed covering of claim 42, wherein the first thickness is lessthan 0.5 mil.
 45. The bed covering of claim 42, wherein the firstthickness is about 1 mil.
 46. The bed covering of claim 45, wherein therelatively second thickness is about 3 mil.
 47. A bedding arrangementcomprising a mattress including a top mattress surface and a mattressside wall arranged to extend downwardly from the top mattress surface, amattress foundation including a top foundation surface arranged to facetoward the mattress and a foundation side wall arranged to extenddownwardly from the top foundation surface, and a bed covering includinga top component arranged to contact and cover the top mattress surface,an upper panel coupled to a perimeter edge of the top component andarranged to extend downwardly along the mattress side wall, a panelanchor coupled to the upper panel to extend into a space formed betweenthe mattress and the mattress foundation, and a lower panel coupled topanel anchor to extend downwardly from the panel anchor and to locatethe panel anchor between the lower panel and the upper panel, whereinthe lower panel includes an exterior surface arranged to away from thefoundation side wall and the exterior surface of the lower panel and isconfigured to provide means for blocking upward traversal of bed bugsalong the exterior surface to reach the top component so that so that aperson resting on the bed covering is not bitten by bed bugs crawling upto the top component.
 48. The bedding arrangement of claim 47, whereinthe exterior surface has a surface roughness of less than 0.000005inches.
 49. The bedding arrangement of claim 48, wherein the exteriorsurface has a surface roughness of less than 0.000003 inches.
 50. Thebedding arrangement of claim 47, wherein the top component is configuredto provide means for transporting moisture provided by a person restingon the bed covering in an inbound direction from a person resting on thebed covering into a mattress-receiving space formed in the bed coveringwhen a person is resting on the bed covering and in an outward directionfrom the mattress-receiving space to atmosphere surrounding the bedcovering when a person is not resting on the bed covering withoutallowing passage of needle-like mouth parts of bed bugs through the topcomponent so that a person resting on the bed covering is not bitten bythe bed bugs located in the mattress-receiving space and comfort of aperson resting on the bed covering is maximized as a result of moisturebeing transported away from the person and the bed bugs being blockedfrom biting the person.
 51. The bedding arrangement of claim 50, whereinthe mattress-receiving space is defined between the panel anchor and theupper panel.
 52. The bedding arrangement of claim 50, wherein the topcomponent includes an inner comfort layer configured to provide an innersurface that faces toward the mattress, an outer comfort layer spacedapart from the inner comfort layer and configured to provide an outersurface arranged to face away from the inner surface, and aninsect-barrier layer positioned to lie between the inner and outercomfort layers and configured to provide means for blocking passage ofneedle-like mouth parts of bed bugs through the top component so that aperson resting on the outer comfort layer of the top component is notbitten by the bed bugs located in the mattress-receiving space formed inthe bed covering.
 53. The bedding arrangement of claim 47, wherein theexterior surface has a surface roughness of less than 0.000005 inches,the top component includes an inner comfort layer configured to providean inner surface that faces toward the mattress, an outer comfort layerspaced apart from the inner comfort layer and configured to provide anouter surface arranged to face away from the inner surface, and aninsect-barrier layer positioned to lie between the inner and outercomfort layers and configured to provide means for blocking passage ofneedle-like mouth parts of bed bugs through the top component so that aperson resting on the outer comfort layer of the top component is notbitten by the bed bugs located in the mattress-receiving space formed inthe bed covering, and the top component is made from a breathablenonwoven material.
 54. The bedding arrangement of claim 53, wherein thebreathable nonwoven material has a moisture transfer rate of at leastabout 50 grams per square meter per 24 hours.
 55. The beddingarrangement of claim 54, wherein the breathable nonwoven material is a30 grams per square meter spunlace blend of polyester and polypropylene.56. The bedding arrangement of claim 55, wherein the insect-barrierlayer is made from the same material as the outer comfort layer.
 57. Thebedding arrangement of claim 56, wherein the insect-barrier layer ismade from a blend of about 30% breathable copolyamide resin and about70% nonbreathable resin.
 58. The bedding arrangement of claim 52,wherein the insect-barrier layer is made from a blend of about 30%breathable copolyamide resin and about 70% nonbreathable resin.
 59. Thebedding arrangement of claim 47, wherein the lower panel includes anouter insect-barrier layer including the exterior surface and an innercomfort layer coupled to the outer insect-barrier layer and arranged tolie between the outer insect-barrier layer and the mattress foundation.60. The bedding arrangement of claim 59, wherein the outer comfort layeris made from a breathable nonwoven material.
 61. The bedding arrangementof claim 60, wherein the breathable nonwoven material is a 30 grams persquare meter spunlace blend of about 50% polypropylene fibers and about50% polyethylene terephthalate.
 62. The bedding arrangement of claim 59,wherein the insect-barrier layer is made from low density polyethylene.